Self-storing padded travel scarf

ABSTRACT

A padded travel scarf includes a padded central portion. Each tail of a first non-padded fabric tail and a second non-padded fabric tail extend respectively from an opposite end of the padded central portion. An integral scarf storage pocket is attached to the padded central portion, the integral scarf storage pocket receivable of the padded travel scarf.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The application relates to scarves, particularly to scarves for travelers.

BACKGROUND

Passenger accommodations for travel seating can be uncomfortable due to, among other factors, size and configuration of the allotted passenger space, size and shape of the passenger, limitations on passenger position adjustments, and length of travel time.

SUMMARY

A padded travel scarf includes a padded central portion. Each tail of a first non-padded fabric tail and a second non-padded fabric tail extend respectively from an opposite end of the padded central portion. An integral scarf storage pocket is attached to the padded central portion, the integral scarf storage pocket receivable of the padded travel scarf.

The padded central portion can include a plurality quilted rectangles. The padded central portion can include a plurality quilted squares. The padded central portion can include two rows with four padded rectangles or squares in each row. The padded central portion can include a polyester. The padded central portion can include a polyurethane. The padded central portion can include a cotton batting. The padded travel scarf can further include an accessories pocket attached to the padded travel scarf.

The accessories pocket can include a nylon mesh. The accessories pocket can include can be attached to the integral scarf storage pocket.

The padded travel scarf can further include a carrying strap attached to the padded travel scarf. The carrying strap can be attached to the integral scarf storage pocket. The carrying strap can include a clasp. The clasp can include a buckle. The clasp can include a hook-and-loop material.

The padded travel scarf can include a plurality of folded configurations. The padded travel scarf wherein the padded travel scarf provides a padded neck scarf or a lap blanket. The padded travel scarf wherein the padded travel scarf provides a seat cushion. The padded travel scarf wherein the padded travel scarf provides a neck pillow. The padded travel scarf wherein the padded travel scarf provides a lumbar back support pillow.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the application will become more apparent from the following description and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the application can be better understood with reference to the drawings described below, and the claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views.

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a plan view of an improved padded travel scarf according to the Application;

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a plan view of the improved scarf from FIG. 1 being folded into a first folded configuration;

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a plan view of the improved scarf from FIG. 2 being folded into a second folded configuration;

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a plan view of the improved scarf from FIG. 3 being folded into a third (storage) configuration;

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a plan view of the improved scarf from FIG. 4 shown in self-storage configuration;

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a plan view of the improved scarf from FIG. 1 being folded into a fourth configuration for use as a padded neck scarf;

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a plan view of the improved scarf from FIG. 6 in the fourth configuration ready for use as a padded neck scarf;

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an elevational view the improved scarf from FIG. 7 in use as a padded neck scarf;

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an elevational view of the improved travel scarf from FIG. 7 being folded into a fifth configuration;

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing an elevational view of the scarf in fifth configuration in a first use as a pillow against an aircraft window or wall;

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing an elevational view of the improved travel scarf from FIG. 2 being folded into a sixth configuration for use as a seat pillow;

FIG. 12 is a drawing showing an elevational view of a seat pillow resulting from the folding shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing an elevational view of a user seated on the seat pillow shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing an elevational view of the improved travel scarf in a self-storage configuration for use as a lumbar support pillow for a seated user;

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing an elevational view of the improved travel scarf in storage configuration in use as a neck pillow for a seated user; and

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an isometric view of the improved travel scarf attached to a piece of luggage by a carrying strap for ease of transport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The passenger travel seating comfort problem is especially acute in air travel. Typically, seats are relatively narrow and are relatively hard and unyielding, such that a passenger may have substantial difficulty in finding and maintaining a comfortable position, or a sequence of comfortable positions, that are suitable over many consecutive hours of a flight. Pillows and blankets are sometimes made available by airlines to their passengers, especially in first class travel, but typically only at a cost for business or economy travel, and they are not readily adaptable to specific shape requirements to cushion passengers' heads, necks, and/or other parts of the body against non-resilient or nonconforming parts of an aircraft.

The Application describes a solution to alleviate discomfort in travel seating by use of a padded travel scarf. The new padded travel scarf includes removable neckwear in the form of a scarf having padded portions. The padded scarf according to the Application can be folded into a plurality of use configurations as may be desired by a user and conveniently stored in an integral pocket when not in use.

The padded travel scarf includes a stitched self-storage pocket which is integral to the scarf into which the scarf may be folded. Further, when the improved scarf is self-stored in its own storage pocket, the scarf can be used as a comfortable head rest, lumbar support, or seat cushion. The padded travel scarf of the Application can include a closable accessory pocket, readily accessible when the scarf is in folded configuration as a pillow, for storing and carrying small items that may be needed during travel, e.g., ear buds, ear plugs, pen, pencil, jewelry, ear drops, eye drops, and the like. The padded travel scarf can also have a carrying strap. The carrying strap can include a Velcro clasp, allowing the folded scarf to be carried as a separate item if desired or to be attached to another piece of luggage, e.g., a rolling suitcase. The padded travel scarf of the Application has a plurality of folded configurations to provide a plurality of comfort positions for a user.

Example—Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary finished improved self-storing padded travel scarf 10 in accordance with the present Application is shown. According to an exemplary method for forming an exemplary finished padded travel scarf, a length of a suitable fabric is laid out (not shown) as a body for the travel scarf, for example, about 72 inches long and about 25 inches wide. The fabric body is hemmed on all sides. A suitable padding material, about 12 inches wide and 24 inches long and about an inch thick, is centered on the fabric equidistant from the two ends 12,12′. The fabric extending beyond the width of the padding is then folded longitudinally along folds 14,14′ over the padding such that the two fabric edges meet in the middle. Then the two fabric edges, the padding, and the underlying fabric are stitched together 17 over the entire length of the padding, leaving first and second fabric tails 16,16′ open and unstitched. Similarly, the padded area between folds 14,14′ is stitched 18 at six-inch intervals from fold 14 to fold 14′, creating scarf 10 with a quilted central portion 20 including eight six-inch padded squares 22 and non-padded tails 16,16′ about 24 inches long. A storage pocket 24 formed of fabric, for example, about 6 inches high and 12 inches wide, is stitched on three sides onto the reverse side of scarf 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and a carrying strap 26 is sewn into scarf 10 with pocket 24. An accessories pocket 28 (shown in FIG. 5), can be formed of a nylon mesh and open on one side, is stitched to the outside of storage pocket 24. Accessories pocket 28 is readily accessible when scarf 10 is either folded and stored or deployed and is useful for carrying small items that may be needed during travel, e.g., ear buds, ear plugs, pen, pencil, jewelry, and the like. Carrying strap 26 includes an integral clasp 30 (See FIG. 16), e.g., a buckle or a hook-and-loop material.

There can be any suitable number of padded sections of the padded central region. The padded sections can be of any suitable size and shape. For example, there can be any suitable number of squares, rectangles and combinations thereof. Less commonly, there can be triangles, circles, polygons, trapezoids, and combinations thereof. There can also be quilted sections, such as, for example quilted squares or quilted rectangles.

The selected fabric for an improved padded travel scarf may be formed, for example, from any suitable natural fiber, synthetic, and combinations thereof. An exemplary suitable fabric is 95% polyester and 5% Lycra. Any suitable padding can be used. For example, padding can be made from a sheet foam, such as 100% polyester sheet foam. However, all other types of padding, for example, polyurethane foam or cotton batting, are within the scope of the present Application.

Referring now to FIG. 2 through FIG. 5, a sequence is shown for folding scarf 10 into storage pocket 24. First (FIG. 2), tails 16,16′ are folded over quilted central portion 20 such that first end 12 abuts second end 12′. Second (FIG. 3), fold 14′ is folded to coincide with fold 14, yielding a folded scarf 10 (FIG. 4) that is insertable into storage pocket 24 with integral carrying strap 26 and accessories pocket 28 on the outside.

Referring now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, scarf 10 may be folded into a first configuration for a variety of uses. Scarf 10, as shown previously in FIG. 1, can be folded once longitudinally along stitch line 17 to form a longitudinal configuration 10′ including four double-thickness padded squares 22′ in a central portion 20′ and two double-thickness tails 16″.

Referring now to FIG. 8 through FIG. 10, padded scarf 10 when folded as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may be used in at least two exemplary ways. In FIG. 8, scarf 10′ is shown wrapped around the neck of a user 30, with tails 16″ being tied in a loose overhand knot. This configuration provides warmth and support to a user's neck, keeping the head generally upright. Alternatively, central portion 20′ may be additionally folded as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 to yield a quadruple-thickness central pad 22″ and two double-thickness pads 22′ for use in blocking a user's head and neck against the wall or window 32 of an aircraft. Not shown, scarf 10 also may be worn on a user's lap as a lap blanket.

Referring now to FIG. 11 through FIG. 13, scarf 10 may be folded into a second configuration for use as a seat cushion. Tails 16,16′ are folded inwards over central portion 20 which then is folded double along its central seam 34 to yield a seat cushion 36 having double-thickness of padding over a 12-inch by 12-inch area.

Referring now to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, scarf 10 in its self-storage configuration forms an excellent pillow for use as a lumbar back support 40 for a seated user 30, or as a side pillow 50 for neck and head support.

Referring now to FIG. 16, carrying strap 26 of scarf 10 makes a convenient handle for carrying the scarf by hand. Clasp 30 provides for convenient and removable attachment of carrying strap 26 to the handle of a suitcase 60.

In summary, and with reference to the exemplary drawings, a padded travel scarf 10 includes a padded central portion 20 (padded central portion 20 shown as optionally quilted). Each tail 16, 16′ of a first non-padded fabric tail 16 and a second non-padded fabric tail 16′ extend respectively from an opposite end of the padded central portion 20. An integral scarf storage pocket 24 is attached to the padded central portion 20, the integral scarf storage pocket 24 receivable of the padded travel scarf 10.

The central portion padding, for example, can be formed from a quilt having two rows of four squares each. The padding can be made from sheet polyester. The scarf includes an attached storage pocket receivable of the scarf when folded. The scarf further includes an accessories pocket and a carrying strap having a clasp.

It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A padded travel scarf comprising: a padded central portion; each tail of a first non-padded fabric tail and a second non-padded fabric tail extend respectively from an opposite end of said padded central portion; and an integral scarf storage pocket attached to said padded central portion, said integral scarf storage pocket receivable of said padded travel scarf.
 2. The padded travel scarf of claim 1, wherein said padded central portion comprises a plurality quilted rectangles.
 3. The padded travel scarf of claim 1, wherein said padded central portion comprises a plurality quilted squares.
 4. The padded travel scarf of claim 1, wherein said padded central portion comprises two rows with four padded rectangles or squares in each row.
 5. The padded travel scarf of claim 1, wherein a padding in said padded central portion comprises a polyester.
 6. The padded travel scarf of claim 1, wherein a padding in said padded central portion comprises a polyurethane.
 7. The padded travel scarf of claim 1, wherein a padding in said padded central portion comprises a cotton batting.
 8. The padded travel scarf of claim 1, further comprising an accessories pocket attached to said padded travel scarf.
 9. The padded travel scarf of claim 8, wherein said accessories pocket comprises a nylon mesh.
 10. The padded travel scarf of claim 8, wherein said accessories pocket is attached to said integral scarf storage pocket.
 11. The padded travel scarf of claim 1, further comprising a carrying strap attached to said padded travel scarf.
 12. The padded travel scarf of claim 11, wherein said carrying strap is attached to said integral scarf storage pocket.
 13. The padded travel scarf of claim 11, wherein said carrying strap comprises a clasp.
 14. The padded travel scarf of claim 13, wherein said clasp comprises a buckle.
 15. The padded travel scarf of claim 13, wherein said clasp comprises a hook-and-loop material.
 16. The padded travel scarf of claim 1, comprising a plurality of folded configurations.
 17. The padded travel scarf of claim 16, wherein said padded travel scarf comprises a padded neck scarf or a lap blanket.
 18. The padded travel scarf of claim 16, wherein said padded travel scarf comprises a seat cushion.
 19. The padded travel scarf of claim 16, wherein said padded travel scarf comprises a neck pillow.
 20. The padded travel scarf of claim 16, wherein said padded travel scarf comprises a lumbar back support pillow. 